明枪易躲
明枪易躲 (míng qiāng yì duǒ) literally means “bright spear easy dodge” and expresses “open threats easier than hidden”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving wisdom and learning. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
Also searched as: ming qiang yi duo, ming qiang yi duo,明枪易躲 meaning, 明枪易躲 in english
Open threats easier than hidden
Pronunciation: míng qiāng yì duǒ
Literal meaning: Bright spear easy dodge
Origin & Usage
In ancient Chinese warfare, a visible (明) spear (枪) was considered easy (易) to dodge (躲). This military wisdom emerged from the Spring and Autumn period, when straightforward attacks were less feared than hidden strategies. The idiom gained prominence through historical chronicles describing how skilled generals preferred subtle tactics over obvious aggression. It parallels Sun Tzu's teachings about the superiority of indirect approaches in The Art of War. In modern contexts, it warns against transparent threats while suggesting that obvious dangers are often less perilous than concealed ones. Commonly used in business negotiations and social dynamics to emphasize that predictable challenges are manageable, while hidden agendas pose greater risks.
Examples
English: "She preferred direct criticism to unspoken disapproval"
Chinese: 她更喜欢直接的批评而不是未说出口的不满
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 明枪易躲 mean in English?
明枪易躲 (míng qiāng yì duǒ) literally translates to “Bright spear easy dodge” and is used to express “Open threats easier than hidden”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Wisdom & Learning category.
When is 明枪易躲 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving open threats easier than hidden.
What is the pinyin for 明枪易躲?
The pinyin pronunciation for 明枪易躲 is “míng qiāng yì duǒ”.